Stalin demands special session, Revanth Reddy calls for southern unity on delimitation

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has appealed to the Centre to convene a special session of Parliament in June to enact constitutional amendments on delimitation, expansion of parliamentary seats and protection of states’ proportional representation . Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy echoed concerns, warning that population-based changes could weaken the South’s political voice .

His demand comes amid a growing national debate over the implementation of women’s reservation in legislatures, which has become contentious due to unresolved questions around delimitation and the data used to determine representation.

In a social media post, Stalin said reports that women’s reservation in Parliament and assemblies may use the 2011 Census contradict the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023 , which mandates the 33 per cent quota for women only after a fresh Census and delimitation. Bypassing this, he warned, would raise constitutional concerns and undermine fair representation. He noted the Centre had previously stated the measure would follow delimitation after the 2026 Census , cautioning that relying on outdated data could weaken the electoral framework.

Calling the move “unprecedented,” Stalin questioned the timing, noting it surfaced while the Model Code of Conduct is in force and suggesting it could be politically motivated ahead of Assembly polls.

Reaffirming the DMK’s commitment to women’s empowerment, he said the party supports women’s reservation without preconditions but insisted the current proportional representation of states must not be disturbed , calling for a constitutional guarantee to preserve each state’s share of seats for at least 30 years .

His remarks come as the Centre reportedly began consultations with political parties , including an all-party meeting, on amendments linked to women’s reservation and delimitation. Reports say the government is exploring plans to expand Lok Sabha and assembly seats by about 50 per cent , potentially raising the Lok Sabha to 816 seats , while considering ways to implement the quota before the 2029 general elections .

The issue has also drawn strong reactions from southern leaders, including Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy , who warned that population-based delimitation could weaken the South’s political voice .

“ An arbitrary 50 per cent increase in seats is like a final bullet. It raises serious questions - what is the basis for such a decision? ” Revanth Reddy said. He warned that if northern states gain more seats, “the need for southern states in forming the Union government will diminish.”

“This is not just about numbers; it is about safeguarding the voice and rights of southern India ,” he added, calling on Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Puducherry to unite and prepare for a political fight to protect their representation.

Revanth Reddy also alleged a broader marginalisation of southern leadership , questioning why leaders from the region were not considered for top posts such as Home Minister or President , citing former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu as an example.

Against this backdrop, Stalin reiterated his call for a dedicated Parliament session to deliberate on delimitation, seat expansion and safeguards for states’ representation, stressing that preserving the federal balance is non-negotiable .